On June 3, 2026, James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year old Auburn University student, was found dead in a forested area outside of Kyoto, Japan, by a search and rescue team. He had been reported missing while on vacation with his family. Higginbotham, an environmentalism and sustainability engineering student from Alabama, was in Japan with his family to celebrate his younger brother’s graduation. Known for his love of the outdoors, it was not unusual for him to go on long walks alone. He was last seen by his family on May 29 after an argument led him to leave on his own. Higginbotham took a train to the Yamashina area, near the entrance of a local hiking trail.
After hours passed without any contact, his family alerted Kyoto police, and an intense multi-day search led by volunteers began. The search party eventually discovered his body in a dense and heavily wooded section of the forest.
Many people have reflected on the tragedy and its parallels to the dangers of travelling abroad. Grey Haynie, a junior at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, added his perspective on the incident.
“I think the story is really sad, and it shows how important it is to have someone with you, especially when you are in another country,” Haynie said.
Higginbotham’s family has been working to honor his memory and his contributions to his community. Those who knew him describe a young man who was passionate about the environment and dedicated to making a difference in the world. As his family and friends continue to grieve, they hope his story will encourage travelers, especially young people to prioritize safety and stay connected with those around them when venturing to unfamiliar places.
